Numbering process and numbering box to carry out the process

Abstract

The numbering box for typographic numbering in sheet or web fed printing machines, said box numbering with p digits k*n items on said sheets or web for allowing a sequential collecting of said items in the finishing and collating process of layers of q sheets or of web cut into layers of q sheets, wherein said box carries out a purely sequential actuation for digits 1 to s, where 10S is smaller or equal to q, a purely individually settable actuation for digits s+1 to r, where the maximum number printable by digits 1 to s and s+1 to r is smaller or equal to k*n*q, and a sequential actuation for digits r+1 to p.

1. A process for numbering objects that are arranged in k columns and n rows on a substrate, the objects receiving a serial number with p digits, composed of digits 1 to s, s+1 to r and r+1 to p, the process comprising steps of:
 for each first substrate of a run of 10 s  successive substrates, calculating a start value Z for digit s+1 to digit r of the serial number with the formula:
     Z =( j− 1)+( i− 1)* n +( m− 1)*( k*n ), 
 
 wherein k*n is smaller than 10 s , s is smaller than p, j identifies a line of the object, i identifies a column of the object and m identifies a run of 10 s  successive substrates; and 
 sequentially numbering the objects. 
 
     
     
       2. A process for downwardly numbering objects that are arranged in k columns and n rows on a substrate, the objects receiving a serial number with p digits, composed of digits 1 to s, s+1 to r and r+1 to p, the process comprising steps of:
 for each first substrate of a run of 10 s  successive substrates, calculating a start value Z for digit s+1 to digit r of the serial number with the formula:
     Z=D/ 10 s −(( j− 1)+( i− 1)* n +( m− 1)* k*n ), 
 
 wherein D is a serial number from which downward numbering starts, k*n is smaller than 10 s , s is smaller than p, j identifies a line of the object, i identifies a column of the object and m identifies a run of 10 s  successive substrates; and 
 sequentially numbering the objects. 
 
     
     
       3. A process for processing piles of substrates each containing objects that are arranged in k columns and n rows, the objects receiving a serial number with p digits, composed of digits 1 to s, s+1 to r and r+1 to p, the process comprising steps of:
 for each first substrate of a run of 10 s  successive substrates, calculating a start value Z for digit s+1 to digit r of the serial number with the formula:
     Z =( j− 1)+( i− 1)* n +( m− 1)*( k*n ), 
 
 wherein k*n is smaller than 10 s , s is smaller than p, j identifies a line of the object, i identifies a column of the object and m identifies a run of 10 s  successive substrates; 
 sequentially numbering the objects; 
 forming piles of q substrates, wherein q is divisible by 10 s  with an even result; and 
 cutting each pile of q substrate along said rows and said columns to form packs of individual objects which are sequentially numbered. 
 
     
     
       4. The process of  claim 3 , wherein the piles of q substrates are constituted of q sheets of sequentially numbered objects or q repeat lengths of web transformed into sheets of sequentially numbered objects. 
     
     
       5. A process for processing piles of substrates each containing objects that are arranged in k columns and n rows, the objects receiving a serial number with p digits, composed of digits 1 to s, s+1 to r and r+1 to p, the process comprising steps of:
 for each first substrate of a run of 10 s  successive substrates, calculating a start value Z for digit s+1 to digit r of the serial number with the formula:
     Z=D/ 10 s −((i−1)+( i− 1)* n +( m− 1)* k*n ), 
 
 wherein D is a serial number from which downward numbering starts, k*n is smaller than 10 s , s is smaller than p, j identifies a line of the object, i identifies a column of the object and m identifies a run of 10 s  successive substrates; 
 sequentially numbering the objects; 
 forming piles of q substrates, wherein q is divisible by 10 s  with an even result; and 
 cutting each pile of q substrate along said rows and said columns to form packs of individual objects which are sequentially numbered. 
 
     
     
       6. The process of  claim 5 , wherein the piles of q substrates are constituted of q sheets of sequentially numbered objects or q repeat lengths of web transformed into sheets of sequentially numbered objects. 
     
     
       7. A numbering box for typographic numbering of substrates each carrying k*n items to be numbered, said numbering box being adapted to print the items with serial numbers having p digits, the serial number comprising digits 1 to s, s+1 to r and r+1 to p; the numbering box comprising:
 sequential actuation means for digits 1 to s, where 10 is smaller or equal to q, wherein q is a number of successively numbered substrates to be collated and processed into piles of q substrates; 
 individually settable actuation means for digits s+1 to r, where a maximum number printable by digits 1 to s and s+1 to r is smaller or equal to k*n*q; and 
 sequential actuation means for digits r+1 to p. 
 
     
     
       8. The numbering box of  claim 7 , comprising corresponding numbering wheels for printing each of the p digits. 
     
     
       9. The numbering box of  claim 7 , wherein the sequential actuation means for digits 1 to s comprise mechanical actuation means. 
     
     
       10. The numbering box of  claim 7 , wherein the individually settable actuation means for digits s+1 to r comprise independent drive motors. 
     
     
       11. The numbering box of  claim 7 , wherein the sequential actuations means for digits r+1 to p comprise electromechanical initiation means. 
     
     
       12. A numbering machine for numbering banknotes, securities, passports and other similar objects placed on a substrate, the numbering machine comprising the numbering box of  claim 7 . 
     
     
       13. A numbering machine for numbering banknotes, securities, passports and other similar objects placed on a substrate, the numbering machine comprising the numbering box of  claim 8 . 
     
     
       14. A numbering machine for numbering banknotes, securities, passports and other similar objects placed on a substrate, the numbering machine comprising the numbering box of  claim 9 . 
     
     
       15. A numbering machine for numbering banknotes, securities, passports and other similar objects placed on a substrate, the numbering machine comprising the numbering box of  claim 10 . 
     
     
       16. A numbering machine for numbering banknotes, securities, passports and other similar objects placed on a substrate, the numbering machine comprising the numbering box of  claim 11 .